The 100 Year Old Debt #Wattys2023

Chapter II : Enter the Collective Detective Agency

3rd Moon

26th Phase

2018

8:21 am

It was a brilliant day. As the morning star had settled, its piercing rays of light cut through the windowsill, caressing me to to wake up and begin my first day. After a breakfast I had neatly prepared with some coffee, I collected my newsie cap and messenger bag, clicking the front door open as the light covered my face in all its glory. Strolling around the Hillside block -where my lodgings are situated- I crossed the street towards Oxford Square, where I was to rendezvous with a fellow agent of the Agency. Considering that I had arrived earlier than expected, I decided to sit on the nearby bench, where the song of birds and the playing of children was rather resounding but charming, nonetheless. A few minutes pass and suddenly my attention shifts towards an oddly dressed girl in blue approaching me without apprehension.

She was a woman of average build with a small stature. Her hair was as blue as the azure skies and her hair was as curvy as the roaring waves, shoulder length to be precise. Even if her eyes were kept by the glasses she wore, her eyes were as pure and beautiful as sapphire. Her attire was simple, but comfortable. A scientific gown blended with what seemed to be a cute dress with frills underneath it. She wore stockings and what seemed to be a pair of moccasins. She might have looked to be past her teenage years.

"Hey!" she called, "Might you perhaps be Ms. Hawkins?"

"Er, and who is asking exactly?"

"Wellll, I may or not may not be a member of the CDA. However, before I say anything, I have to find out if you're the one we're expecting to meet. Lots of people have been impersonating agents in these past months and committing crimes in our names with the purpose of giving us a bad reputation throughout the districts."

"Oh! I was unaware that such crimes were taking place in Bogshire."

"Right? Not only is it bad business, but it's also annoying for everyone. Well, fortunately, I brought myself a little doohickey that'll help set matters straight."

Picking her backpack, she started perusing the tools and equipment she had collected from the Agency. I must confess that I was becoming rather anxious at the distraction, for it was getting a tad late from the appointed time included in the instructions.

"I understand why you are taking the necessary precautions but should not just showing you my papers be sufficient for-"

"Ah-ha!" the odd woman exclaimed, "Say hello to the Identity! With this baby, I can tell anyone from anything from just the look on their face!"

"Really now!"

I have always had an interest in modern day technology. Science magazines were somewhat of a pass time for me growing up, and I more often than not enjoyed doing school projects with my classmates. So you can see that learning that such devices were being made by the organization I was to work with piqued my interest, making me forget that I was running against the clock.

"Okay, now hold still and make sure to close your eyes. Thank you! If you don't, then the light of it might leave you blind."

"Blind?!"

"Relax, that's like, what, a twenty percent chance? It'll be fine!"

//Twenty percent chance? This is absurd, my first day at work and I'm already exposing myself to a chance of losing my sight. Not much I can do, I suppose. Might as well just get it over it.//